Help complete my book…

Which subtitle?

I was torn between “Essays” and “Reflections”. Thanks to the Facebook users who helped me decide on Reflections on a First World nation’s arrested political development.

Which cover image?

Facebook users were split down the middle when I asked which cover image I should use – the installation art with or without the human form.

The final cover will be revealed soon.

Questions from readers

Thanks to those who responded to my call for questions that you would like the book to answer.

“We often jump to the simplistic notion of Mr Lee Kuan Yew as an inspiring figure—but recent publications (Poh Soo Kai’s for example) suggest the truth to be less than so noble. In light of such revelations, how could Singaporean society come to grips with a more nuanced version of the Singapore Story? Are we as a nation even ready? — Chow Kit Ying

“Is the current Elected President scheme an extension of PAP’s ‘ownself checks ownself’ system since it becomes so politically entangled with so many checks that would potentially make any opposition government a lame duck?” — David Tan

“How has the years of independent Singapore’s sociopolitical landscape (strongman rule, one party & media control, lack of political education, worship of elites etc) affected the voting populace today? Have the motivations behind selecting a candidate changed at all?” — Zach Chia

“Can Singapore truly evolve itself to meet the challenges of today (and not with piecemeal solutions) without a change of government? Younger generations of Singaporeans are coming of age in a pluralising social media/information landscape. How does this complicate authoritarian consolidation in Singapore?” — Ezra Ho

“How do we begin to articulate the unobvious—perhaps even gentle—repression that leads to citizens disciplining themselves and their behaviors instinctively such that disagreements with the government are rarely—if ever—actually verbalized?” — Pavan

“In the U.S., marginalized groups ‘knowing their history’ have resulted in radical movements like Black Lives Matter. Now, more Singaporeans are learning about alternative histories (eg. Charlie Chan Hock Chye) that challenge the Singapore Story. But in a much more top-down, authoritarian system, what scope is there to go from knowledge to action (be it for acknowledging these parts of our past, or calling for a different kind of society) in a constructive fashion?” – Name withheld